2021 CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

CCE works to advance legislation that will protect our natural environment and public health, while working to oppose legislation that will have an adverse impact on our shared environment. Regular sessions of the Connecticut General Assembly are held from January to June in odd-numbered years and from February to May in even-numbered years.

Below is a list of proposed legislation that CCE is working to advance or oppose in the 2021 State of Connecticut Legislative Session. 

Legislative Agenda Items:

Exempting Compostable Bags from the Bag Ban (SB 281)
Exempts “compostable” and “biodegradable” checkout bags from the CT bag ban
CCE’s Memo in Opposition

Establishing an Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant Program for Affordable Housing (SB 356)
Establishes a comprehensive energy efficiency retrofit grant program to fund the installation of energy efficiency upgrades and renewables for affordable housing units
CCE’s Memo in Support

Preventing Contamination from PFAS-treated Firefighting Foams (SB 837)
Phases out the use of Class-B firefighting foams containing PFAS for non-emergency purposes and establishes a buy-back program for such products
CCE’s Memo in Support

Requiring Electronic Record Keeping of Pesticide Registration Info (SB 839)
Provides a funding stream for pesticide program enforcement and closes loopholes for illegal online sale of restricted pesticides
CCE’s Memo in Support

Prohibiting toxic PFAS in Food Service and Consumer Packaging (SB 926)
Phases out the distribution of food and consumer packaging treated with per- or polyfluoroalkyl chemicals 
CCE’s Memo in Support

Increasing Food Waste Composting and Recycling (SB 930)
Requires any large food wholesaler, distributor, supermarket, resort, or conference center that is within 40 miles of an approved composting facility to divert/recycle their food waste
CCE’s Memo in Support

Updating Connecticut's Sewage Right to Know Act (SB 927)
Incorporates updates and technical changes to strengthen and enhance Connecticut’s sewage overflow reporting system
CCE’s Memo in Support

Updating Connecticut's Bottle Bill (SB 1037)
Updates Connecticut’s Bottle Bill by Raising the deposit value and expanding the program to cover juices, teas, sports drinks, and liquor nips
CCE’s Memo in Support

Eliminating Single-Use Plastics (HB 6502)
Phases out the use of certain polystyrene products at food service establishments, establishes a “by request only” policy on plastic straws and prohibits the intentional release of helium balloons
CCE’s Memo in Support

Strengthening Connecticut’s Environmental Justice Law/Protecting Air Quality in our Cities (HB 6551)
Gives DEEP/ the CT Siting Council authority to deny permits if less harmful alternatives are available
CCE’s Memo in Support